Month: April 2023

adidas Originals’ ATRIC division remembers the golden days of sportswear, harking back to the 1990s and 2000s when performance-focused apparel and footwear dominated the scene. Shoes, like the ATRIC, specifically looked into water sports, leading the Three Stripes to release the sneaker — alongside complementing pairs — in 2018 that could be used in wet conditions while hiking. Now, adidas Originals takes it back to its roots with the ATRIC23.Arriving in “Core Black/Carbon/Teal” or “White Tint/Off White/Cream White” colorways, the new ATRIC23 draws heavily from those aforementioned aquatic ’90s and ’00s influences with a mixture of textile and rubber creating a breathable, but tightly-sealed, shoe.Interestingly for an adidas Originals shoe, there is very little notable branding. Stripes appear on the rubber cap on the front, but there are five instead of the standard three. Instead, we get a small Trefoil logo on the tongue and underside adidas branding, thus letting the silhouette do all the talking.As a result, we find elements like a metal ring on the heel, a chunky contoured sole unit, rope laces, 3M detailing, and an inner sock-like liner completing the unusual pair.The adidas Originals ATRIC23 releases online on April 14 and costs £100, or $150 USD. Take a closer look at the sneaker above.In other news, Salomon has released a “Cottage Core” collection.

Of all the TikTok lifestyle trends one can subscribe to, cottage core is perhaps the one that has the biggest chokehold on Gen-Z audiences. Yearning for a whimsical, slower-paced way of life that idealizes a rural realm, the trend is defined by frills, nude tones, and the romanticization of a simpler world — and now it has become the key inspiration for Salomon’s new “Cottage Core” pack.Centered around its XT-6 EXPANSE and RX MOC silhouettes, the new collection utilizes natural colors and softer material combinations, such as open-pore mesh and form-fitting synthetics that hug the foot. A landscape-esque interior is printed inside the XT-6 EXPANSE, while the RX MOC sports a clean, nude hue.Branding is muted, while sole units are tinted in sage green or tan to emulate walking through a meadow. The result is a duo of shoes that represent a different kind of outdoor lifestyle, tapping into Salomon’s hiking capabilities while softening it up with a sense of ease — less trekking, more drifting through the forest.The pairs are styled with equally quaint outfits, using washed-out cotton and frilly white lace to complement the “Cottage Core” aesthetic. However, both styles are available in unisex sizes. Check out the lookbook above, and purchase the pairs online now. Prices range from $100 USD to $180 USD.In case you missed it, check out this week’s issue of Sole Mates.

New Balance’s Made in UK umbrella has just presented a new iteration of its 576 silhouette and the sneaker is soon to be available in a summer-ready “Pale Mauve” colorway.For New Balance, its Flimby-based and locally-run UK factory has produced some of the brand’s cleanest designs to date. For example, the HQ has dropped its 991 in “Slate Blue” and “Mocha,” while its recently-introduced 576 pack unveiled some of NB’s OG colorways in revitalized fashion.Now, this latest introduction of New Balance’s 576 silhouette continues to celebrate the Flimby umbrella’s 30th anniversary. Dressed in a combination of “Pale Mauve,” “Coconut Milk,” and “Whisper White” hues, this latest NB offering comes constructed in a pleasant mix of pig suede, mesh, and synthetic details. Additionally, ENCAP midsole cushioning is also introduced, while a motion control CR device has been included for further comfort.Customary New Balance branding can be spotted on the lateral walls, tongue, and heel counter, and rounding off the design, white laces have been included to correspond with the sneaker’s cozy internal lining.You can take a closer look at the New Balance 576 Made in UK “Pale Mauve” above and it will be available to shop via the official New Balance website and with select retailers from April 20.In other footwear news, take a look at the new Nike Mountain Fly 2 Low.